How to repair a asphalt driveway!

To repair your driveway you will need all or most of the following tools. If you do not have them most hardware stores will rent them to you.

Asphalt Tamper,Stirring Stick,Hammer,Asphalt Cleaner,Shop Vac,Backer Rod,Cold-Patch,Garden Roller,Shovel,Crack Filler,Driveway Sealer Squeegee,Rope,Emulsified Liquid Asphalt,Asphalt Roller,Stiff Broom,Sand,Chisel,Hose,Gravel,High Pressure Hose Nozzle,Trowel,Driveway Cleaner,Long-Nap Roller,Wire Brush

Address the cracks

• All cracks should be filled as soon as possible to ensure that water does not get under the driveway causing more problems. Cracks that are over 1/2 inch wide should be filled with cold-patch. Narrow cracks are fixed with crack-filler.
• Remove any lose material from the cracks using a Chisel and wire brush.
• A broom or shop vac should also be used to ensure all material is removed.
• Use a hose with high pressure nozzle to clean off all dust and leftover residue. Areas with Grease or oil need to be removed using commercial cleaning agents. For a patch to adhere, the crack needs to be thoroughly clean.
• Deep cracks need to be filled with sand to within a 1/4 inch of the top before applying the patching compound.
• Now apply the crack-filler.

Fixing Depressed Areas

• Sunken areas of the driveway, also called Birdbaths allow the water to puddle, these need to be corrected. Again the area should be clean and free of all grease and oil.
• To ensure that patch material will adhere to the old driveway, prime the area with emulsified liquid asphalt, also called driveway coating.
• Use a trowel to spread the cold-patch in the depressed area, filling it level with the surrounding area. Smootht he patch then tamp with a tamper.
• Allow the patch to dry for 24hrs before seal-coating the entire driveway.

Fixing Potholes (Chuckholes)

• Dig out all loose material to a solid base, undercut the area a bit to allow the patch to fit snug and not lift out.
• Clean all dust,grease, and oil from the area.
• If the hole is very deep fill with gravel to within 4 inches of the top and tamp firmly.
• Prim the area with emulsified liquid asphalt, this will allow the new material to adhere to the old driveway. Apply the cold-patch patting it down as you go to ensure there are no air pockets forming.
• use your car tires to drive over the area and compact the patch as good as possible.
• Allow the repaired area to cure for 12-36 hours before driving on it, and give it 5 days to cure before seal-coating the entire driveway.

SEALING THE DRIVE

• Use a sealant to coat blacktop surfaces every few years. The ideal time to seal your drive is after you have completed any repairs. Sealer gives a fresh, new look to a driveway. And it does more than that–it provides protection from sun and moisture and from grease, oil and gasoline drips and spills, as well as other damaging substances. Sealer guards against everyday wear and tear. It also fills hairline cracks that aren't serious enough to require individual patching.
• The blacktop surface must be clean before you apply sealer. This includes dust, dirt, grease, oil and debris. Sweep it clean. Remove grease and oil spots with detergent or cleaner. End the cleaning by rinsing the area thoroughly with water. Squeegee water from any puddled spots. It is not necessary that the surface be thoroughly dry before applying the sealer, but don't do the job when rain is forecast.
• Stir the sealer to make sure its ingredients are well-blended.
• Some sealers can be applied with a long-handled paint roller. However, the best tool for this is a combination squeegee/broom made for the purpose and available from your retailer . Apply the sealer only to a small area of the driveway at a time. Pour it out and spread it around evenly with the squeegee, brush or roller. Don't spread the sealer too thin–one good coat stands up for a long time. Allow small cracks and weathered areas to drink in the sealer.
• Be very careful to avoid splashing sealer onto walls, garage doors and yourself. Moreover, plan the project so you will not have to walk across the treated areas. Use care–this material can make a mess of house floors.
• Improve traction on sloped areas by adding sand to the sealer mix. Stir it in thoroughly before applying, and keep the mix stirred during application.
• You can sprinkle sand over a sealer surface that's still wet. Excess sand not captured by the sealer can be swept up later.
• Allow the sealer to cure for 24 hours before using the driveway (products vary in the setting times, so check to see what's required by the one you use). Erect string barriers at the street end of the drive to remind family members to keep off and to discourage casual traffic from spoiling your efforts.